Telangana SHG women get drones and mobile millet cafes for tech-driven livelihoods

In a move to promote technology-enabled livelihoods and women's economic empowerment, 10 women Self-Help Group (SHG) members in Telangana's Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district received drones, while another 10 received mobile millet cafes on Saturday. The distribution was part of a broader initiative to equip rural women with modern tools for self-employment and income generation.

According to district officials, 35 women SHG members underwent training in drone technology, and another 35 received specialised training in operating and managing millet cafes. The training programmes were designed to build skills in technology, enterprise management, and self-employment, enabling women to take up sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Of the trained beneficiaries, 10 women were selected to receive 10 drones valued at ₹67 lakh. The drones are intended to help these women offer drone-based agricultural services to farmers in the region. This is expected to create avenues for self-employment while expanding access to technology-driven farming services in rural areas.

Another 10 beneficiaries received 10 mobile millet cafes worth ₹37.2 lakh. These mobile cafes aim to create local markets for nutritious millet-based food products, provide women with sustainable income opportunities, and encourage wider consumption of millets.

The initiative reflects a growing focus on integrating technology and enterprise skills into rural development programmes. By supporting women-led ventures in agriculture and food processing, the district administration hopes to foster economic independence and rural prosperity.

Officials said the selection of beneficiaries was based on their performance in the training programmes. The drones and mobile millet cafes are expected to serve as catalysts for the women to establish themselves as service providers and entrepreneurs.

The programme aligns with state and national efforts to promote millets and digital agriculture. Millets, often termed nutri-cereals, have gained attention for their health benefits and climate resilience. Similarly, drone technology in agriculture is being encouraged for its potential to improve efficiency in tasks such as crop monitoring, spraying, and soil analysis.

For the women beneficiaries, the support is a significant step toward financial independence. Many of them come from rural households with limited access to formal employment. The training and equipment provide them with tangible means to generate income while contributing to the local economy.

The district administration has indicated that further support, including handholding and market linkages, will be provided to the women to ensure the success of their ventures. The initiative is seen as a model that could be replicated in other districts.

While the immediate impact will be measured in terms of income generated and services delivered, the broader objective is to create a supportive ecosystem for women's entrepreneurship in rural India. By combining technology, training, and enterprise, the programme seeks to address multiple developmental goals at once.